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Örvar-Oddr

January 06, 2023

Örvar-Oddr (Old Norse: Ǫrvar-Oddr [ˈɔrvɑr-ˌodːr̩], "Arrow-Odd" or "Arrow's Point") is a legendary hero about whom an anonymous Icelander wrote a fornaldarsaga in the latter part of the 13th century. Örvar-Odds saga, the Saga of Örvar-Odd, became very popular and contains old legends and songs. He also appears in Hervarar saga and, concerning the battle on Samsø, in Gesta Danorum.

Örvar-Oddr informs Ingeborg about Hjalmar's death, by August Malmström (1859)

Plot summary

Prophecy

Oddr was the son of Grímr Loðinkinni and the grandson of Ketill Hængr (both of whom have their own sagas) of Hålogaland. When he was an infant, a völva predicted that he would be killed by his own horse Faxi, at the place where he was born, at the age of three hundred (which may very well signify 360, as a hundred by the time was a unit of numbers denoting 120, rather than 100 - which have been called a petty hundred).

In order to undo the prediction, he killed his horse, buried it deep in the ground and left his home intending never to return again. As he was leaving, his father gave him some magic arrows (Gusisnautar) which soon earned him the cognomen arrow. After a voyage to Finnmark, Bjarmaland, Holmgård, Constantinople and Jotunheim, he fought successfully against several Vikings.

Hjalmar and Angantyr

However, when he encountered the Swedish champion Hjalmar, he met his match. The fight was even and the two warriors not only became friends, but entered sworn brotherhood.

The two heroes fought many battles together (for more see Hjalmar), until after the famous battle of Samsø against the sons of Arngrim, Örvar-Oddr had to bring the dead Hjalmar (killed by Angantyr) to Uppsala and his betrothed Ingeborg, the daughter of the Swedish king.

Örvar-Oddr travelled in the South fighting against the corsairs of the Mediterranean, he was baptised in Sicily, was shipwrecked and arrived alone in the Holy Land.

Ögmundr Flóki

Oddr sought vengeance against Ögmundr Flóki ("Ogmund Tussock" or Ögmundr 'tuft';[1][2] aka Ögmundr Eyþjófsbani[3] or "Eythjof's-killer"[4]) for the murder of his blood-brother Þórðr stafnglamr (Thord Prow-Gleam).[4] He and his crew headed toward a fjord in Helluland ("Slabland"), where Ögmundr was to be found, according to Oddr's half-giant son, Vignir. During their voyage, they encounter two huge sea-creatures that resembled islands:

…said Vignir. "I'll tell you about it; these were two sea-monsters, one called Sea-Reek, and the other Heather-Back. The Sea-Reek is the biggest monster in the whole ocean. It swallows men and ships, and whales too, and anything else around. It stays underwater for days, then it puts up its mouth and nostrils, and when it does, it never stays on the surface for less than one tide.[5][6]

There had been five men sent to disembark on what they thought was an island, but the Heather-Back (lyngbakr) plunged into sea, and those men perished.[7] However, the group had safely sailed through the jaws of the Sea-Reek (hafgufa), the other monster that Ögmundr had sent by magic to intercept the party.[6]

Barkman

Oddr becomes Barkman (naefrmaðr, 'birch bark man'), a sort of wildman dressed in bark.[8] He arrived in Hunaland and meets King Herrauðr, where his true identity was soon revealed due to his heroic actions.[9][10] After defeating the king of Bjalkaland ("pelt country"), who used to pay tribute to the king of Hunaland, he married the Herrauðr' daughter Silkisif and became the next king.

Death

After all this, Oddr became homesick and went back home. Walking over the grave of Faxi, he mocked the old prophecy, but tripped over the skull of a horse from which a snake appeared. The snake bit him and he died.

Analysis

The saga includes several stories, such as the voyage of Ottar from Hålogaland to Bjarmaland, the legend of Hjalmar's foster-brother (originally named Söte), Starkaðr, Ketil Höing, Odysseus and Polyphemus, Sigurd Jorsalfare and the Rus' ruler Oleg of Novgorod (the attack on Bjalkaland).

The motive of Örvar-Oddr's mocking the prophecy and death has parallels in the Primary Chronicle, which describes the manner of the death of Oleg (also of Varangian origin) in similar terms. Oleg's death from "the skull of a horse" is also the subject of one of the best known ballads in the Russian language, written by Alexander Pushkin in 1826.

Ögmundr Flóki owned a cloak made from the beards of kings he collected, as did the giant of Mont Saint-Michel, enemy of King Arthur in Brittany.[11][a]

See also

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ The giant which was called Retho by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Royns (Ryence, Ryens, Ryons) by Thomas Malory.[12]

References

Citations
  1. ^ Lane (1971), p. 90, note 2: "'Tussock' is a poor translation of flóki anyway. Something like "tuft" would be better, since it undoubtedly referred to some sort of hairy feature. The word tussock, while it now-a-days brings grass to most people's minds".
  2. ^ Tracy (2017), p. 327 defends the "Tussock" translation saying: "flóki refers to a section of matted hair, like wool or felt, which resembles a grass lump rather than the standard topprinn, or a lock of hair". In her quote (text vs. translation) toppurinn is rendered "forelock" (cf. mod. Icel. hártoppur).
  3. ^ Fox (2020), p. 175.
  4. ^ a b Edwards & Pálsson (1970) "Ch. 13. Ogmund Eythiof's Killer", pp. 36–39.
  5. ^ Boer (1888), p.132
  6. ^ a b Edwards & Pálsson (1970) "Ch. 21. Family Reunion", pp. 68–69 (in the first edition, "sea-reek" and "heather-back" are non-capitalised); Edwards & Pálsson (1985), pp. 85–86
  7. ^ Kalinke, Marianne E. (January 1992). "Reykjahólabók:A Legendary on the Eve of the Reformation". Skáldskaparmál. 2: 28, note 17.
  8. ^ Fox (2020), p. 162.
  9. ^ Boer (1888), pp.139–141
  10. ^ Edwards & Pálsson (1970) "Ch. 24. King Herraud", pp. 75–79.
  11. ^ Tracy (2017), pp. 327–328.
  12. ^ Nickel, Helmut (Fall 1985). "The Fight about King Arthur's Beard and for the Cloak of Kings' Beards". Interpretations. Scriptorium Press. 16 (1): 1–7. JSTOR 43797841.
Bibliography
  • Boer, Richard Constant, ed. (1888). Örvar-Odds saga. Leiden: E. J. Brill. OCLC 462860153. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13.
  • Fox, Michael (2020). Following the Formula in Beowulf, Örvar-Odds saga, and Tolkien. Springer Nature. ISBN 9783030481346.
  • Lane, George S. (Winter 1971). "(Review): Arrow-Odd: A Medieval Novel by Paul Edwards and Hermann Pálsson". Scandinavian Studies. 43 (1): 89–91.
  • Tracy, Larissa (2017), Tracy, Larissa (ed.), "Face Off: Flayed Beards and Identity in Medieval Romance", Flaying in the Pre-modern World: Practice and Representation, Boydell & Brewer, pp. 322–348, ISBN 9781843844525

External links

  • Proverbs and proverbial materials in Örvar-Odds saga
  • The Old Norse text of the Saga

  This article contains content from the Owl Edition of Nordisk familjebok, a Swedish encyclopedia published between 1904 and 1926, now in the public domain.

January 06, 2023
örvar, oddr, norse, Ǫrvar, oddr, ˈɔrvɑr, ˌodːr, arrow, arrow, point, legendary, hero, about, whom, anonymous, icelander, wrote, fornaldarsaga, latter, part, 13th, century, örvar, odds, saga, saga, örvar, became, very, popular, contains, legends, songs, also, a. Orvar Oddr Old Norse Ǫrvar Oddr ˈɔrvɑr ˌodːr Arrow Odd or Arrow s Point is a legendary hero about whom an anonymous Icelander wrote a fornaldarsaga in the latter part of the 13th century Orvar Odds saga the Saga of Orvar Odd became very popular and contains old legends and songs He also appears in Hervarar saga and concerning the battle on Samso in Gesta Danorum Orvar Oddr informs Ingeborg about Hjalmar s death by August Malmstrom 1859 Contents 1 Plot summary 1 1 Prophecy 1 2 Hjalmar and Angantyr 1 3 Ogmundr Floki 1 4 Barkman 1 5 Death 2 Analysis 3 See also 4 Explanatory notes 5 References 6 External linksPlot summary EditProphecy Edit Oddr was the son of Grimr Lodinkinni and the grandson of Ketill Haengr both of whom have their own sagas of Halogaland When he was an infant a volva predicted that he would be killed by his own horse Faxi at the place where he was born at the age of three hundred which may very well signify 360 as a hundred by the time was a unit of numbers denoting 120 rather than 100 which have been called a petty hundred In order to undo the prediction he killed his horse buried it deep in the ground and left his home intending never to return again As he was leaving his father gave him some magic arrows Gusisnautar which soon earned him the cognomen arrow After a voyage to Finnmark Bjarmaland Holmgard Constantinople and Jotunheim he fought successfully against several Vikings Hjalmar and Angantyr Edit However when he encountered the Swedish champion Hjalmar he met his match The fight was even and the two warriors not only became friends but entered sworn brotherhood The two heroes fought many battles together for more see Hjalmar until after the famous battle of Samso against the sons of Arngrim Orvar Oddr had to bring the dead Hjalmar killed by Angantyr to Uppsala and his betrothed Ingeborg the daughter of the Swedish king Orvar Oddr travelled in the South fighting against the corsairs of the Mediterranean he was baptised in Sicily was shipwrecked and arrived alone in the Holy Land Ogmundr Floki Edit Oddr sought vengeance against Ogmundr Floki Ogmund Tussock or Ogmundr tuft 1 2 aka Ogmundr Eythjofsbani 3 or Eythjof s killer 4 for the murder of his blood brother THordr stafnglamr Thord Prow Gleam 4 He and his crew headed toward a fjord in Helluland Slabland where Ogmundr was to be found according to Oddr s half giant son Vignir During their voyage they encounter two huge sea creatures that resembled islands said Vignir I ll tell you about it these were two sea monsters one called Sea Reek and the other Heather Back The Sea Reek is the biggest monster in the whole ocean It swallows men and ships and whales too and anything else around It stays underwater for days then it puts up its mouth and nostrils and when it does it never stays on the surface for less than one tide 5 6 There had been five men sent to disembark on what they thought was an island but the Heather Back lyngbakr plunged into sea and those men perished 7 However the group had safely sailed through the jaws of the Sea Reek hafgufa the other monster that Ogmundr had sent by magic to intercept the party 6 Barkman Edit Oddr becomes Barkman naefrmadr birch bark man a sort of wildman dressed in bark 8 He arrived in Hunaland and meets King Herraudr where his true identity was soon revealed due to his heroic actions 9 10 After defeating the king of Bjalkaland pelt country who used to pay tribute to the king of Hunaland he married the Herraudr daughter Silkisif and became the next king Death Edit After all this Oddr became homesick and went back home Walking over the grave of Faxi he mocked the old prophecy but tripped over the skull of a horse from which a snake appeared The snake bit him and he died Analysis EditThe saga includes several stories such as the voyage of Ottar from Halogaland to Bjarmaland the legend of Hjalmar s foster brother originally named Sote Starkadr Ketil Hoing Odysseus and Polyphemus Sigurd Jorsalfare and the Rus ruler Oleg of Novgorod the attack on Bjalkaland The motive of Orvar Oddr s mocking the prophecy and death has parallels in the Primary Chronicle which describes the manner of the death of Oleg also of Varangian origin in similar terms Oleg s death from the skull of a horse is also the subject of one of the best known ballads in the Russian language written by Alexander Pushkin in 1826 Ogmundr Floki owned a cloak made from the beards of kings he collected as did the giant of Mont Saint Michel enemy of King Arthur in Brittany 11 a See also EditHrafnistumannasogurExplanatory notes Edit The giant which was called Retho by Geoffrey of Monmouth and Royns Ryence Ryens Ryons by Thomas Malory 12 References EditCitations Lane 1971 p 90 note 2 Tussock is a poor translation of floki anyway Something like tuft would be better since it undoubtedly referred to some sort of hairy feature The word tussock while it now a days brings grass to most people s minds Tracy 2017 p 327 defends the Tussock translation saying floki refers to a section of matted hair like wool or felt which resembles a grass lump rather than the standard topprinn or a lock of hair In her quote text vs translation toppurinn is rendered forelock cf mod Icel hartoppur Fox 2020 p 175 a b Edwards amp Palsson 1970 Ch 13 Ogmund Eythiof s Killer pp 36 39 Boer 1888 p 132 a b Edwards amp Palsson 1970 Ch 21 Family Reunion pp 68 69 in the first edition sea reek and heather back are non capitalised Edwards amp Palsson 1985 pp 85 86 Kalinke Marianne E January 1992 Reykjaholabok A Legendary on the Eve of the Reformation Skaldskaparmal 2 28 note 17 Fox 2020 p 162 Boer 1888 pp 139 141 Edwards amp Palsson 1970 Ch 24 King Herraud pp 75 79 Tracy 2017 pp 327 328 Nickel Helmut Fall 1985 The Fight about King Arthur s Beard and for the Cloak of Kings Beards Interpretations Scriptorium Press 16 1 1 7 JSTOR 43797841 BibliographyBoer Richard Constant ed 1888 Orvar Odds saga Leiden E J Brill OCLC 462860153 Archived from the original on 2008 05 13 Edwards Paul Palsson Hermann eds 1970 Arrow Odd A Medieval Novel New York New York University Press SBN 8147 0458 1 First English translation Edwards Paul Palsson Hermann trr 1985 Seven Viking Romances Toronto Penguin Books Canada Ltd ISBN 978 0 14 044474 2 Fox Michael 2020 Following the Formula in Beowulf Orvar Odds saga and Tolkien Springer Nature ISBN 9783030481346 Lane George S Winter 1971 Review Arrow Odd A Medieval Novel by Paul Edwards and Hermann Palsson Scandinavian Studies 43 1 89 91 Tracy Larissa 2017 Tracy Larissa ed Face Off Flayed Beards and Identity in Medieval Romance Flaying in the Pre modern World Practice and Representation Boydell amp Brewer pp 322 348 ISBN 9781843844525External links EditProverbs and proverbial materials in Orvar Odds saga The Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus on Orvar Odd The Old Norse text of the Saga This article contains content from theOwl Editionof Nordisk familjebok a Swedish encyclopedia published between 1904 and 1926 now in the public domain Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Orvar Oddr amp oldid 1123931115, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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